Mark Melancon, the 26-year-old right hander who saved 20 saves for the Houston Astros in 2011, has been traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange or utility shortstop Jed Lowrie and young pitching prospect Kyle Weiland.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the trade. Melancon was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 9th round of the 2006 MLB amateur draft and has pitched in the majors for three seasons. In 106 career games, Melancon is 10-5 with a 3.21 ERA, 98 strikeouts and a career 1.26 WHIP. Last season, Melancon was 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 66 strikeouts to go along with his 20 saves in 71 appearances for Houston.
Lowrie has played with the Red Sox for his entire four-year career. In 256 games, Lowrie has hit .252 with 19 home runs and 117 RBI. Last season, Lowrie hit .252 with sox home runs and 36 RBI. Weiland made his major league debut with the Red Sox last season, pitching in seven games and recording an 0-3 record with a 7.66 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
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